Los Angeles, CA--Olmos Productions and Animex are partnering on the 3D animated film El Americano The Movie, the first animated co-production between the US and Mexico. The story will follow Cuco, a young Mexican parrot, whose epic quest to enlist the aid of an American crime-fighting TV celebrity, to defend his family in Mexico from bullies, teaches the young parrot to be a hero himself. The film will be directed by Ricardo Arnaiz (director of La Leyendade La Nahuala and Nikte) and Mike Kunkel (animator of Disney’s Tarzan, and Hercules), with six-time Emmy Award winner Phil Roman (The Simpsons) serving as production supervisor and executive producer. Alex Flores, Gerry Cardoso and Michael D. Olmos spearheaded the film’s development at Olmos Productions and Animex respectively, and will serve as producers. Edward James Olmos will serve as executive producer and lend his voice to one of the main characters. Other cast members will be announced shortly.

"We're delighted to be working with Edward James Olmos and his production company here in the US," said Ricardo Arnaiz, award-winning director and founder of Animex in Puebla, Mexico. "It's a story we have been working on for the last three years and we feel we have a really strong team in place to execute this film scheduled for early summer 2013."

Aleks Syntek, the Mexican singer, songwriter and producer who has been a member of the team from the project’s inception, will compose the theme song for the film. “What motivated me to write the theme song for this film was the work Ricardo Arnaiz and this extraordinary production team have accomplished. Without a doubt it shows the passion, creativity, and talent Mexicans can have in the animation industry. Animation for the whole family has always been magical to me, which was another great incentive to create the music for this great film, which I’m sure will be huge hit,” said Syntek.

Visit the El Americano The Movie page on Facebook for more details and concept art.

Jennifer Wolfe is Director of News & Content at Animation World Network.